How to Make a Farmhouse Inspired DIY Lantern

Today I will show you how to easily transform inexpensive picture frames into a beautiful, DIY Farmhouse Inspired Lantern!

You know I am a lover of all things DIY, and budget friendly. I look at most things in the store, and think “I could make that…and for a whole lot less.” Anybody else? I’ve seen a few lanterns online, and KNEW there had to be a way to make one. A few inexpensive picture frames later, I created this DIY lantern. It was the perfect addition to the front porch for a wintery feel.

What You’ll Need for a DIY Lanter:

4 picture frames, the size is up to you. I used 5×7, and it was the perfect fit for one of my trays
Glue, I used glue dots that I also found from Dollar Tree. They worked so good.
Craft paint, I used Waverly Inspirations chalk paint, in the color Crystal

Instructions

Remove the backing and glass from your picture frames, and prepare an area for painting. If you bought frames you love the color of, you can skip this step. Yay! If not, prep your area, and bust out your paint. Apply as many coats of paint as necessary to the inside and the outside of all the frames.
Once the paint is dry, add the glass back in if you want. I personally like the glass in mine, but it’s totally up to you.
Once you’ve added the glass back, glue the frames together. I used Magic Glue Dots from Dollar Tree for this. They worked so well, didn’t smell, and had virtually no dry time. They set up pretty quickly, and they seemed to have a pretty strong adhesion. I was totally surprised!
Once your glue is set, you are ready to enjoy your new DIY Lantern!

This is not the sturdiest little lantern, so you may want to sit yours in a tray like I did mine. You could also try gluing a bottom to your lantern. You could either use a piece of thin wood cut and painted the same color as your lantern. I think even cardboard cut and painted would work! Anything that will help keep the lantern stable.

This is really such an easy DIY project. I think it would be so pretty on a tablescape, or on a coffee table.

February seems like the longest month of the year to me. I am itching to get outside, and work in the dirt. Until then, I figured I’d fluff up my pillows and do a little porch refresh for winter. Anybody else have spring fever?

I hope you all have a great week. As always, thanks for spending a tiny part of your day with me.